Spinal-column massager.



L. N. BLUST.

SPINAL COLUMNMASSAGER.

APPLICATION FILED DCT. I4, |915- Patented Apr. 18, 1916.

L. N. BLUST.

SPINAL COLUMN MASSAGER.

APPLICATloN FILED ocT.14. 1915.

Patented Apr. 18,1916.v

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

31a/vento@ FFCE.

LOUIS N.` IBL'UST, OF vNEW ALBANY, INDANA.

SINAL-CLUMN MASSAGER.

Application IedOctobcr 14, V1915.

To-aZZ whom 'it mag/concern:

Be it known that I, Louis N. BLUsT, Va citizen `of the United States, residing at New Albany, in the county of Floyd and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Spinal-Column Massagers; and I `,do declare Athe following to be a full, clear, and rexact description of the invention, such as vwill enable others lskilled in the .art to which it :appertains "to Amake anduse the same.

.This invention relates to massaging machines andV is of the type -adapted for ma.- nipulating the back adjacent the spinal 'column in a manner similar to the osteopathic treatment of the spine.

One object of the invention :is to provide a simply constructed machine which can be readily operated by any one.

.A .further vobject is to provide an 'adjustable support 'on which the legs of the user ofthe device are adapted to rest when 'the machineis in operation. Y With the above general objects in view, the invention consists in certain novel featureslof construction, combination and ar'- rangement of parts which will hereinafter be more particularly` described and claimed.

.1n the acconipanying drawings; vFigure 1 represents `a :side elevation lof my improved machine; Fig. 2 'is a top plan view thereof; Fig. 8 Aisa central vertical longitudinal section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 isa transverse section taken on the line of Fig. 3,; Fig. 5 is a detail longitudinal section taken on the line 5&5 'of Fig. 2; Fig. -6 is a detail perspective View of the slide.

In the preferred form of my invention :I rovide a frame 1 which comprises a head end 2 and a foot end 3 connected by the longitudinal brace rods or hand rails 4l. These rails 4 are preferably placed adjacent the outer ends -ofthe members 2 and f3 while a pair of spaced apart tracks -5 are secured to the ends 2 and 3 substantially in their center. rThese tracks 5 are adapted to support 'a sli-de 6 shown as -formed nof two parts 6 and which are connected by a tongue 7 adapted to dependbetween the tracks 5 and to act as a guide `for the slide when the same 4is reciprooated on .said tracks. The frame :1 and thel slide 6 :are preferably lconstructe'd of wood, therefore the upper 'faces of the tracks 5 are provided .with metallic wear Yspecificatio'n of Lettersratet.

Patented Apr. 18, 1916.

serial Naisasei.

platesS, similar plates 9 Elbeing placed on 'the lower faces fof the slide '6 which contact with the tracks 5. The members 6 and 6 of the slide have their upper edges rounded as shown fat 10 for a purpose to appear. Operating handles 11 are formed on the opposite sides ofthe slide 6 for moving the same along the tracks.

The frame 1 is'designed primarily to support a pair of liexible elements or strands 1.2 connected by their oppositefends to the end members 2 and '3' of the frame, and are adapted to support `the weight of the person rdesiring `to use this improved machine. These elements 12 rest one on 'each side of the spinal column and extend substantially throughout the tlengthof the -use'rs back. lit is obvious that because of their flexibility, they will Econform to the curvature of the back of the person Vlying thereon and readily give with any movement of the back. While these elements 12 maybe constructed of any suitable flexible material, l preferably use 4a pair of tubes in each of which is placed a coil spring 13 whose opposite ends yare provided with eyes 14 in which hooks 15 for-med on plates 16 are placed. The plates 16 are secured by suitable :attaching means to the members -2 :and `3 of the frame as disclosed in the various figures. This arrangement allows fthe flexible elements to be 'readily removed from the frame for 'any purpose. Suitable guards 12 cover the opposite ends of the iieXible tubes and the springs in order that fthe user 'of the device may not be injured by any sharp corners. 'These flexible tubes may be vof any preferred construction but 4are here Vshown as formed of ian endless spiral strip of metal 17 having an offset portion 18 `adapted to underlie the adjacent portion ofthe stri-p 17. This offset portion 18 is substantially yan 'additional endless strip underlying the outside strip 17., the construction of` he two being illustrated in Fig. 5. Bands of rubber or other flexible material .17a vare placed between the outside strip 17 and the oifset portion 18 in order that the tube may be as elastic ias possible.

As the flexible elements 12 extend yonly the length of the personis back, 1 provide 4a head rest 19 hinged to the end 2 and adapted to fold against said end when the machine is not inoperation, and to extend -at right angles thereto when the device .is in use, a suitable pivoted arm 20 having a notch in its free fend forengagement With afplate 21 being provided for holding'the'head restv in" elevated position. This arm 21 is adapted to be inserted through the slot V22inthe end 2 when the head rest is folded. l v s The oppo-site end of the frame'l is also provided With a slot 23 adapted to receivev shank 24 of a hinge member, the head 25 of Which has pivoted theretoa leg support 26.

their inner tovvard their outer ends and are covered on their upper .edges bythe cover 28 upon which the legs of' the userare adapted to lie. The tongue 29projects from the inner end of this support 26 and is pivoted to the aforementioned'head 25 and carries a pivoted pawl for coaction kWith ratchet teeth 30 formed on the edge of said head. From this description it Will be seen that this leg support 26 may be readily elevated to any desired position and may be held in that position by the pavvl and ratchet connection just described.

To operate the massaging machine, the person esiring to take a treatment, lies on the flexible elements or tubes l2, said tubes bending downwardly and conforming tothe curvature o-f the back of the person. The slide 6 is then moved until it lies beneath the small or curved l/Vhen the parts of the machine ar-e in operativeposition, the person grasps the hand rails 4 and moves himself backvvardly and forwardly in a longitudinal direction on said elastic tubes. This operation causes the muscles of the'back and the spinal column of the person taking the treatment to be thoroughly manipulated and massaged.

,The flexible tubes which support. the person are ydesigned to rest one on 'each side' of the spinal column, as hereinbeforev stated, and are held in this position by the grooves 32 formed inthecurved faces l0 of the slides as best illustrated in Figs. 4 and 6. From the foregoing description vo-f the construction and operation of 'this improved massaging device, it is evident that I have produced-a machine which, While yvery lsimple in construction, may be very readily operated by even an unskilled practitioner and that it will be found to be extremely efficient. v f

I' claimg 1. A devicel of the class described com# risin a frame a iieXible element connected by its ends to said frame and adapted to support a person'lying thereon, -a slide movable beneath said underlie the curved portion of the persons back. f 2. A device of the class described coman elastic element connected said frame andy adapted to prising a frame, by its ends to which -are vtapered from portion of the persons back.

vslide movable to element and adapted tov 'support a `V person" lying thereon, *al lculrved slidemovable beneathv said element and adapted to underlie the curved portion of adapted to rest one on each'side of a persons vspinal column and to support Y the Weight of the person, a track carried by the frame beneath said elements, a slide movable to a plurality vof positions thereon and adapted to underlie the curved portion of the persons back. l

4. A device of the class` described comprisng av frame, a pair of spaced apart elastic elements adapted to rest one on each side of a persons spinal column and to support the-.Weight of the person, a track carried by the frame beneath said elements,

each part being adapted the elastic elements .beportion of the vpersons side of a persons spinal column and to'sup- Lport the Weight of theperson, aipairof spaced apart track members carried by the fra-mebeneath said elements, a two-part a plurality of' positions thereon and having a tongue depending between said track members, each part being adapted to underlie oneof the elementsfbe-v neath the `curved vportion ofthe personis back-.,M. s .K

.6.A device of the'class described comprising' a. frame, a pairof spacedfapart elastic tubes connected by their ends to the frame and adapted torest one on each side of a persons spinal column; and to vsupport the Weightof the person, Aa track carried by the framebeneath said tubes, a slide movl able to a plurality of positions thereon, said y slide being-grooved on itsupper edge vto receive thetubes and adapted to underlie the curved portionofthe persons back:

7. A device of the'class'described com-j prising a frame, a pair of spacedv apart elastic tubes, a coil spring in each of said tubes connectedby their opposite ends to the frame, said tubes being adapted to rest one on each side of a persons spinal column and to support the WeightV of the person, a' track carried by the frame beneath said tubes, a slide movable to a pluralityl of positions thereon and adapted to underlie the curved portion of-a persons back. 1

8. A device ofthe class described. comprising a frame, a pairof spacedL apart v a tvvo-partI slide movableto a-'pluralityof pair of spaced apart elastic tubes connected by vtheir ends-.to the frame longitudinally thereof andv adapted column and to support the weight of the person, a track secured to the frame below said tubes, a slide movable to a plurality of positions thereon and adapted to underlie the curved portion of the persons back, and hand rails secured to said frame and extending parallel to said tubes, whereby the person lying on said tubes may move himself thereon.

9. A device of the class described comprising a frame, a pair of spaced apart elastic tubes connected by their ends to the frame longitudinally thereof and adapted to rest one on each side of a persons spinal column and to support the weight of the person, a track secured to the frame below said tubes, a slide movable to a plurality of positions thereon and adapted to underlie the curved portion of the persons back, hand rails secured to said frame and extending parallel to said tubes, whereby the person lying on said tubes may move himself thereon, and a head restV secured to said frame adjacent one end of said tubes.

10. A device of the class described comprising a frame, a pair of spaced apart elastic tubes connected by their ends to the frame longitudinally thereof and adapted to rest one on each side of a persons spinal column and to support the weight of the person, a track secured to said tubes, a slide movable to a plurality of positions thereon and adapted to underlie the curved portion of the persons back, hand rails secured to said frame and eX- tending parallel to said tubes, whereby the person lying on said tubes may move himself thereon, and a foldable head rest secured to said frame adjacent one end of said tubes.

11. A device of the class described comprising a frame, a pair of spaced apart elastic tubes connected by their ends to the frame longitudinally thereof and adapted to rest one on each side of a persons spinal column and to support the weight of the person, a track secured to the frame below said tubes, a slide movable to a plurality of positions thereon and adapted to underlie the curved portion of the persons back, hand rails secured to said frame and extending parallel to said tubes, whereby the person lying on said tubes may move himself thereon, a head rest secured to said frame adjacent one end of said tubes, and an ad- Gopies o! this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the the frame below f justable leg support at the opposite end of said frame.

12. A device of the class described comprising a frame, a pair of spaced apart elastic tubes connected by their ends to the frame longitudinally thereof and adapted to rest one on each side of a persons spinal column and to support the weight of the person, a track secured to the frame below said tubes, a slide movable to a plurality of positions thereon and adapted to underlie the curved portion of the persons back, hand rails secured to said frame and extending parallel to said tubes, whereby the person lying on said tubes may move himself thereon, a head rest secured to said frame adjacent one end of said tubes, and a vertically adjustable leg support at the opposite end of said frame.

13. A device of the class described comprising a frame, a pair of elastic elements secured by their opposite ends to the opposite ends of the frame, said elements bein'g adapted to rest one on each side of a persons spinal column and to support the weight of the person, a pair of spaced apart track members secured to the frame below said elements, one end of said frame being slotted, a slide movable to a plurality of positions on said track members and adapted to underlie the curved portion of the persons back, an adjustable leg support adjacent one end of the elements, a hinged member having a shank adapted to be inserted in said slot, the head of said leg support being pivoted to said member, and a pawl and ratchet connection between said member and the support for adjusting the same.

14. A device of the class described comprising a pair of iexible strands adapted to rest one on each side of the persons spinal column, a frame upon which said strands are mounted, and a support beneath said strands adapted to underlie the curved portion of the persons back, said support and frame being movable relative to each other.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

Louis N. nLusT.

Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

